Frost Dates for 04093 — Buxton, Maine

Half of springs at West Buxton 2 NNW, ME see their last 32°F night by May 7; only one in ten is past it by April 28, and one in ten still has one after May 18. Planting tender crops after May 12 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after May 15 20%, and after May 18 10%. The 11 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is narrower than at 87% of the 52 Maine stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by October 4 in half of years, as early as September 23 one year in ten, and holds off past October 15 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 9 days later, around October 13; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is May 6, 12 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 148 days in a typical year, shorter than at 58% of the 52 Maine stations; it reaches 164 days one year in ten and falls short of 133 one year in ten. On average 171 nights a year drop to 32°F or below. Nights of 36°F, when frost can still settle on leaves in low, open spots, continue 12 days longer, to about May 19, and return around September 25. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes every winter, usually between November 19 and March 27.

July is the warmest month at West Buxton 2 NNW, ME, averaging 82°F by day and 58°F at night; January is the coldest at 31°F and 8°F. A freezing night is all but certain in every month from October to April (a 90% chance or more). From June to August the chance of a 32°F night stays under 10% each month. In spring, May still brings one in 80% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 2,221 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 79% of the 52 Maine stations. 29% of them (641) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 615. Precipitation totals 49.7 inches a year, most in October (5.5") and least in February (3.4"); May to September bring 39% of it.

The nearest other station, Hollis, ME, 5 miles west of Buxton, has a last frost 7 days later (May 14), a first frost 4 days earlier (September 30), a season 12 days shorter.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Buxton usually arrives around November 24, and the last of the season around April 12. Those are the middle dates across the winters of 1991–2020 at Hollis, ME, 5.1 miles away: half of years saw snow earlier, half later. Every one of those winters saw snow. The last 32°F night of spring typically comes 25 days after the last snow.

ZIP 04093 is 3 miles from West Buxton 2 NNW, ME, which stands at 220 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 4 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 04038 (Gorham). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 04093 in zone 5b, the band where the coldest night of the year averaged -15 to -10°F (-26.1 to -23.3°C) over 1991–2020; a zone describes winter lows, not frost dates.